Council's Ethics Charges Against Twp. Attorney for 'Wheeling' Dismissed

Ethics charges lodged against Parsippany Township Attorney John Inglesino claiming he indirectly helped finance Mayor James Barberio’s election campaign have been dismissed.

According to nj.com, ethics charges brought by Council President Paul Carifi and councilmen Lou Valori and Robert Peluso were dismissed by the state’s Office of Attorney Ethics. The charges stated Inglesino and his law firm made political contributions to the campaign account of Senator Kevin O’Toole, who then contributed to Barberio’s campaign in a practice termed ”wheeling.”

Inglesino called the case “bogus” and said the three councilmen were retaliating against him for doing his job as township attorney, according to the report.

Carifi recently announced his re-election bid for a four-year term and is running on a ticket with two newcomers. Three seats are up for grabs this year on the Parsippany council, including Carifi’s and Michael dePierro’s, as well as Brian Stanton’s.

dePierro also announced his re-election campaign with two running mates, neither of which currently sit on the council. Stanton is not running for re-election.

Inglesino does not currently have a contract with the township as its attorney when the majority of the council denied his reappointment at the beginning of 2015. He is currently sitting in the position as a holdover until the mayor makes a new recommendation.

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